What Bottom Pour Furnace Do You Use?

[les265]

I have three Lee furnaces and they seem to do a great job. I was wondering if the investment in a Lyman or RCBS would be worth it. Just wondering what brand most of you are using.

[Hickory]

I don't use a bottom pour.
I have found I can do everything
better by ladle casting. Always have good fill-out.

[casterofboolits]

I have three of the RCBS 10 kilo pots. I used to hand cast boolits for IPSC shooters for years.

I burned thru Lee and Lyman pots fairly quickly in the early years and replaced them with the RCBS pots. Also have an Ohio Thermal Pot which is the same as RCBS except it is grey and and black, not green. RCBS bought Ohio Thermal.

RCBS equipment is pricey, but is the best available.

[Dale53]

I have two RCBS pots. I am VERY satisfied with them.

Dale53

[cajun shooter]

The Lee pots are good for getting your feet wet but will not hold up. They also have a rheostat that will not give you the same temp each time. The RCBS has a real thermostat and will last for many years with carefree service. I had to work on my Lee's every day they were used.

[Toobroke]

I have a Lee that is used only to melt/clean wheel weights, an old Lyman Mouldmaster that is used for casting bullets and a (really) old Potter that I use for pure lead for swaging cores

[ktw]

I have a pair of Lee 4-20s and am satisfied with them. I only cast moderate quantities of bullets for myself. I always use a good thermometer. I ladle cast a few of my larger, lower volume rifle bullet designs from the same pots.

If I was going to cast commercially I'd probably go with something more robust.

-ktw

[Artful]

of your listed choices I have an RCBS and an additional SEACO - both 20+ pound pots. I have friends with smaller Lee pots and find them usable but not for use with 4 - 6 cavity molds.

[fatnhappy]

i got a lyman mag 20 from fleecebay for $130. It took a long time for this dumb dipper caster to learn how to use it. I'm pretty happy with it

[67bear]

I use a Lyman Mag 20. I'm Pretty happy with it.

[1hole]

"Just wondering what brand most of you are using."

Perhaps the more useful question would be "What pot would you prefer?"

[sagamore-one]

My dad started me out with a Lee production Pot. I soon upgraded to a Saeco, then to a Lyman Mag 20. After rebuilding the Mag 20 four times I moved up to an RCBS Pro Melt. I,ve had to repair the RCBS twice but the warranty covered the cost. The Mag 20 is on the shelf just in case the RCBS ever dies and the company goes out of business, or I can't find another RCBS.
If I had it to do all over again... the RCBS !!!!

[les265]

Thanks for the info guys. I have always heard that the RCBS furnace is the one to get. I guess I will have to start saving up for one.

[wallenba]

When I was new to casting I started with the Lee. I wrecked it prematurely with a corrosive flux. Stepped up to the RCBS when IRS refund came. From a Chevy to a Cadillac.

[9.3X62AL]

I am VERY happy with the RCBS furnace I now use. It is among my best reloading tools, period.

I used two Lee bottom-pours before finding the RCBS furnace, and they were capable, usable tools. Not top-drawer, but not bad either. Like most Lee tools, they need a bit of "owner engineering" or construction completion before being at their best. Given their price point, that is an acceptable trade-off. At the price of an RCBS furnace--it better be first-rate right from the box, and remain trouble-free for one very long time. Mine has been.

[btroj]

I like my RCBS. Had it about 20 years and it is still working great. Have a Lee too but haven't used it in years, too drippy.

[dragonrider]

I have use Lee BP's for about 25 years, have three, two tens and a twenty. One ten is dead need to check it out one day. I have now problems with the other two. I use a ten to feed mjy twenty therefore the temp in the casting pot, that being the twenty, dosen't drop any appreciable amount.

[jsizemore]

Got a Lee with PID, Lyman Mold Master, and RCBS. Like em all. Use the RCBS most.

[keyhole]

I use a RCBS ProMelt purchased new about 1975. It has worked without problem ever since. It has not been used heavily- probably melted under 1,000 lbs of metal, almost all wheelweights. But it's nice to have something you don't have to repair or fiddle with to keep it working. I am kind of shocked by what a new one costs but I guess what I paid back in the 70's was a lot then too. But if you buy it once and it last 35+ years, it's not expensive.

[deltaenterprizes]

RCBS, Lyman, Magma